Originally Posted by
ninjamunky
I'm just starting with clipless and was wanting to get some Shimano A530 pedals for my fixed gear because I don't want to ride clipless all the time. But after my first ride using the M520 pedals it seems like a pedal that is platform on one side and spd on the other would be awkward, especially for someone just starting out with clipless.
Does anyone here have any experience with a pedal like the A530?
I have used the A-530, A-600 and the M-785s. I like all three pedals but I certainly use the different pedals for different purposes.
The A-530s are a great touring pedal because you have the versatility, clipless on one side and a nice platform on the other. For touring it is great in case I don't want to clip in or am wearing different shoes and I am generally not going super fast or anything.
The A-600s are a great single sided road pedal which decently fit the aesthetics of my vintage road bike but allow me to run clipless (since Dura Ace never did an SPD compatible pedal just SPD-R and Look for vintage stuff) They can be a pain having only one side but it is a road bike and road bike pedals are single sided.
M-785s are what I run on my fixed gear, they are dual sided clipless with a platform and are real easy to get into as needed which is handy for fixed or MTB use (which I have also done with them). I wouldn't want to do fixed on a platform pedal again with no foot retention, that got scary on some hills at points when I slipped and couldn't catch back on easily. I can go downhill with much more confidence and get some up strokes as well.
Granted you can find cheaper versions of the A-600s (A-520s) and the M-785s (M-530s and others) but hey you only live once, bling it up, baby.